Wind actuated figure toy



I June 28, 1955 n H, BROWN 2,711,613

WIND ACTUATED FIGURE TOY Filed Dec. 6, 1952 J. BROWN INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y Unite States Patent WIND ACTUATED FIGURE TOY Harold J. Brown, Dallas, Tex. Application December 6, 1952, Serial No. 324,540

Claims. (Cl. 46--120) This invention relates to wind actuated novelties and more particularly to a device simulating a living creature adapted to be mounted on a bicycle, automobile or other vehicle for operation by wind pressure thereagainst.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a novelty, preferably in the form of a bird of amusing design, having a body portion provided with cavities in which are pivoted portions of a neck and a tail which extend into the cavities, the tail portion being pivoted at its end while the neck portion is pivoted at a point spaced from its end, with means connected at one end to the neck portion below the pivot point thereof and at its opposite end to said tail portion above the pivotal point thereof so that the neck and tail will move simultaneously under wind pressure applied to the tail, although in opposite directions. Thus, the figure will assume simulated positions of increasing speed as wind pressure against the tail is increased by virtue of increased speeds of the vehicle to which the device is attached. 1

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention has further reference to certain features of accomplishment which will become apparent as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 2 is a side elevational view with portions broken away and in cross section; and

Figure 3 is a front elevational view.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, reference numeral denotes a caricatured body simulating that of a bird, which may be fabricated from any suitable material or molded from plastic. At the forward end of the body, there is provided a cavity 11 into which extends the continuation 12 of a neck 13, the latter being formed preferably of fiat material. The portion 12 is pivoted at 14 to the body 10 within the cavity 11, the said cavity being formed with a stop 15 against which the neck 13 comes to rest in raised position of the latter. To the upper end of the neck 13 is pivoted at 16 a simulated head 17. The pivot 16 is eccentrically disposed so that irrespective of the changing positions of the neck 13, the head 17 will remain by gravity in its normal position.

Extending into the cavity 18 of the body 10 is a portion 19 of a tail 20. The portion 19 is pivoted at 21 adjacent its end within the body cavity 18 and attached to or formed on the tail is a substantially fanshaped wind vane 22.

The tail 20 is held normally in raised position by a rubber band 23 or equivalent means, which embraces the tall 20 and is attached by means of a pin 24 to the top of the body 10 intermediate its ends. Adjustability in the tension of the elastic means 23 may be obtained by changing its position with respect to spaced apart notches 25 in the tail 20.

In order that the neck 13 and the head 17 may move simultaneously with the tail 20 when wind pressure is appoint 14 and at its opposite end to the tail portion 19 above its pivot point 21. It is obvious, therefore, that when the tail 20 is moved downwardly to the dotted posi-- tion in Figure 2, against the resistance of the elastic means 23, the neck 13 will be moved in the opposite direction to the dotted position, so that the device will take on the appearance of speed. At the same time, the simulated wings 27 mounted on a transverse shaft a, which normally repose by gravity in vertical position, will be moved by wind pressure to various angular positions, depending upon the degree of pressure applied thereto or the speed of the vehicle on which the device is mounted.

Mounting of the device is accomplished through the medium of a bracket 28 affixed by means of screws 29 to the under side of the body 10. In the drawing, the bracket 28 is shaped in such manner that it may be attached to the handle bars of a bicycle.

Obviously, the device can, without altering the principle of the invention, be made in various shapes to simulate various birds or animals.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed to fall within the scope and mean ing of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A wind actuated novelty comprising a partially hollow, body simulating a living creature having locomotion appendages, a substantially fan shaped tail, at right angles to the plane of said body, a neck and a head eccentrically pivoted to said neck, said tail and neck each having a portion extending into the hollow portions of said body, means securing said neck portion in said body" at a point spaced from one end thereof for pivotal movement, means securing said tail portion in said body at one end for pivotal movement, a link connected at one end to said neck portion below the securing means thereof and at its opposite end to said tail portion above the securing means of the latter, elastic means engaging said tail portion for normally holding the same in raised position and adapted to be overcome by wind pressure against said tail elfective to lower said tail and neck.

2. A wind actuated novelty comprising a body simulating a living creature and having cavities therein, a tail having a portion extending into a cavity of said body and pivoted at one end therein, a neck having a portion extending into another cavity of said body and pivoted therein at a point spaced from its end, a head eccentrically pivoted to the opposite end of said neck, a fan shaped wind engaging member on the opposite end of said tail and disposed at right angles to the plane of said body to present a greater area exposed to the wind than'said head and neck, an elastic member holding said tail normally in raised position and adapted to resist wind pressure effective to lower said tail and means connecting said tail at a point above its pivot to said neck at a point below its pivot to cause said neck to be lowered simultaneously with the lowering of said tail when said body is moved rapidly against the wind.

3. A wind actuated novelty adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, comprising a body simulating a living creature and having cavities therein, a tail pivoted'at one end in one of the cavities of said body, a wind engaging vane carried by the opposite end of said tail and disposed at right angles to the plane of movement thereof and adapted to lower the tail when said body is moved against the wind, elastic means resisting wind pressure and tending to hold said tail in raised position, a neck pivoted adjacent one end in another cavity of said body, a head eccentrically pivoted to the opposite end of said neck and means connecting said tail and neck within said body to effect simultaneous movement of said tail and neck.

4. A Wind actuated novelty comprising a body simulating a living creature, a tail pivoted at one end within said body, a neck pivoted adjacent one end in said body, a substantially fan shaped wind engaging member carried by saidtail and effective to lower said tail when exposed to wind pressure, elastic means resisting lowering displacement of said tail, a head eccentrically pivoted to said 10 neck for free swinging movement thereon and means joining the portions of said neck and tail within said body for simultaneous displacement.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which the elastic means consists of a rubber band encircling said tail and attached to the top of said body intermediate the ends of the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,814,314 Kane July 14, 1931 2,421,270 Kendall May 27, 1947 2,488,890 Barrett Nov. 26, 1949 2,535,230 Purdum Dec. 26, 1950 

